Posted by By Tony Amadi on
Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili has been described as a leader who consciously has the interest of his people at heart in all his dealings.
Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili has been described as a leader who consciously has the interest of his people at heart in all his dealings.
This was the view expressed by the Amangada XI of Rebisi Kingdom, Chief Anthony W. Akarolo, when Telegraph had a chat with him in Port Harcourt.
The Royal Father, who is the president of Akarolo group of companies and a PDP stalwart in the state proudly acknowledged that the success and progress recorded by the South-South geo-political zone on the issue of resource control were part of the governor's efforts.
He noted that this effort first paid-off for the good of the people during the 1995 national constitutional conference where, at the leadership of the Rivers State delegation, the landmark 13% derivation was achieved by the South-South up from a paltry 3% prior to the conference.
He said: "The governor has contributed immensely to the progress of the South-South, and people respect him for that. He, too, is from the oil-producing area and quite understands the sufferings of the people so well. As far as I am concerned, he has shown to have the interest of the people at heart and whatever he is doing, the people are behind him. With him we have achieved much and hope to achieve even more."
Chief Akarolo extolled the governor's pedigree and track record, saying that it was for these that people elected him into the position and have remained solidly behind him.
"When you have a good leader, you have to follow him wherever he goes," he further remarked. "We have not found him wanting, so we follow him knowing that he goes in the right direction; and we shall continue to follow him."
According to him, the governor is ripe enough for higher duties, having done so well where he is now. He recalled the saying that "charity begins at home", and pointed out in these words: "He has done so well here in the state where he comes from. He will certainly do well also, even better, in higher offices, and wherever he goes, people will see him as a good performer and an achiever. This was what earned him the golden governor award."
On the national political reforms conference on the verge of submitting its report to the president, the traditional ruler expressed the hope that the final document would adequately address the needs of the various states and sections of the country. To him, the 25% derivation sought by the South-South is just fair enough and would bestow peace.
He therefore, wished that the rest of the country would understand this and make a noble concession to all resource producers in the country in line with the demands of equity and justice.